This year, the procession will begin at 18:30pm on Saturday 8th August 2026 from The Falmouth Recreation Ground, Dracaena Ave, Falmouth TR11 2FB (Falmouth Rugby Club). The pre-carnival fun begins on site from 12:00.
Entrants will be given specific times to line up approximately 1 weeks before the Carnival
(whether its a Float or part of the Marching Parade). All Marching entries entred on the day will be put to the back of the parade.
The Parade officially begins at 18:30pm on Saturday 9th August, departing from Falmouth Recreation Grounf (Falmouth Rugby Club).
Last Updated: 18/08/2025
Marching Entrants along with the Floats will leave The Falmouth Recreation at 18:30 travel down Killigrew Street, The Moor, Webber Street, Market Strand, Market Street, Church Street, Arewenack Street and finally Grove Place the officially ending.
All collection buckets will be collected at the end of the Carnival Route Grove Place (For Floats) and Events Square (For Marching Parade).
*For participants safety all Floats must return to the Recreation Ground to disassemble or disembark passengers safely by traveling down Marine Crescent, turning right at the Falmouth Hotel and following Melville Road to the Falmouth Rugby Club. All Marching Parade Entrants will finish in the safe havern of Events Square. It is the responsibility of all entrants to find a suitable and safe route home following the end of the Carnival.
1. “Whatever Floats Your Boat!” – Float Entries: Unleash your creativity! Design and decorate a float that dazzles the crowd and showcases your unique style. Be part of the parade that lights up our community!
Get creative with your costumes and floats.
*ENTRY CLOSING DATE IS TO 12PM SATURDAY 1ST AUGUST 2026
2. “Fill Your Boots!” – The Marching Parade: Rally your friends, family, and neighbors to join in a spectacular show of unity and festivity. Let’s march together and celebrate the spirit of Falmouth!
*ONLINE ENTRY CLOSES ON 12PM FRI AUG 07TH 2026.
3. “No Pane, No Gain!” – The Window Competition: Get inspired and decorate your trade windows to reflect the carnival’s essence. Your artistic flair can make a big splash while making our town look vibrant!
*ONLINE ENTRY CLOSES ON 12PM FRI JULY 31ST 2026. – JUDGING WILL TAKE PLACE WEEK OF MON 3RD AUGUST 2026
The Falmouth carnival Kicks off Falmouth week on Saturday 9th August. The Parade departs The Recreation Ground at 18:30
All entrants can pre-register their intent to enter the Falmouth Carnival by filling the online registration forms found here
This enables the Falmouth Carnival Committee to plan ahead and cater for the needs of our entrants.
The Falmouth pre-carnival Kicks off at the Recreation Ground from 12 noon on Saturday 9th August.
Last minute Registration to the Marching Parade will be on site between 15:00 – 16:45 (online Registration will close at 20:00 on Friday 8th August).
No entrants for Floats will be taken on the day. Please register any Floats by 12:00 Sat 26th July using the online registration form and a member of the committee will be in contact.
The Parade itself will departs The Recreation Ground at 18:30 on Sat 9th August 2025.
At present there is no Falmouth Carnival King or Queen for 2025, although we are welcoming Royalty from surrounding carnivals to register under a float entry. If you would like to join the Carnival Team to run this area in the future and can offer experience please contact info@falmouthcarnival.org.uk
The Falmouth Carnival Kicks off Falmouth week on Saturday 9th August. The Parade departs The Recreation Ground at 18:30
Participants should expect the parade to last between 1-2hrs.
At present the Carnival Committee are in talks with Falmouth Town Council in regards to the overall route for both the marching parade and the floats. It is proposed that Marching Entrants along with the Floats will leave The Falmouth Recreation at 18:30 travel down Killigrew Street, The Moor, Webber Street, Market Strand, Market Street, Church Street, Arewenack Street and finally Grove Place, officially ending there. *The floats will then return to the Recreation Ground (Route TBC).
The latest you can register the Marching Parade Online will be Friday 8th August at 20:00. The Online registration forms can be found here
This enables us to plan ahead and organise positions of entrants in the Marching Parade.
Any entrants that show up on the day to enter the Marching Parade are asked to register on site between 15:00 – 16:45. These entrants are likely to be then be put at the back of the parade.
Entrants will be given specific times to line up approximately 2 weeks before the Carnival
(whether its a Float or part of the Marching Parade).
We have categorised the Marching Parade into the Following classes:
Class 1- Non Motorised (Bikes/Wheels/Buggies/Pushchairs)
Class 2- Single Walker under 16 (will need to be accompanied by and adult)
Class 3- Walking Pairs Over 16
Class 4- Walking Group 3 or more Mixed Ages (U16s will need to be accompanied by and adult)
Class 5- Walking Group Organisation/Trade/Business/Club/Pub
Class 6- Best Dressed Collector
Class 7- Marching Band
The latest you can register a Float entry Online will be Saturday 2nd August at 23:00. The Online registration form can be found here
This enables us to plan ahead and organise positions of entrants of the Floats for the Parade, ensuring all relevant documentation is met.
Depending on the size, length and type of Float entry our Carnival Committee will then work with you to provide an alotted time slot to arrive at The Falmouth Recreation Ground in order to facilitate available space and to keep pedestrians and marching participants safe.
No motorised vehicles will be excepted into the Carnival on the day of the Carnival.
All motorised entrants will require the appropriate documentation MOT, Insurance, road Take and the driver a valid driving licence).
We have categorised the Marching Parade into the Following classes:
Class 8 – Organisation/Club/Pub
Class 9- Charity
Class 10- Trade/Business
Class 11- Visiting Carnival Queen
Class 12- Visiting Carnival Fairy Queen
Class 13- Visiting Carnival Royalty King
Class 14- Visiting Carnival Queen Group on Float
Class 15- Visiting Carnival Fairy Queen Group on Float
Class 17- Visiting Carnival Royalty King Group on Float
To enter or provide a Float entry for the Falmouth Carnival you will need to fill the online form in by Saturday 2nd August by 23:00. The Online registration form can be found here
You will be asked to provide proof of valid motor insurance, car tax and MOT and for the driver to have a valid driving licence. A risk assessment will also be supplied on entry for you to fill out.
STRICTLY NO ALCOHOL IS TO BE CONSUMED PRIOR TO OR DURING THE PROCESSION BY DRIVERS, PASSENGERS OR SUPERVISORS.
Each float must be under the supervision of a suitable person who will walk alongside the float. The supervisor must be in contact with the driver at all times. Should the supervisor have any concerns with the float, the float must be stopped until such time as it is deemed safe to proceed. At no time must any water, flour or other missiles be thrown from the float. If this is observed from any float, the said float will be immediately be expelled from the procession at the next suitable exit on the route.
N.B. Children on floats must be seated and strapped in.
Safety rails/ropes must be on all floats to prevent persons falling.
The above requirements have been compiled in the hope that the carnival is a safe event and full of fun for all those who have entered.
Under no circumstances can Float entrants drink alcohol before or during the parade. This includes drivers, participants and marshalls.
All money collected during the Carnival Parade will be collected at the end of the route by Falmouth Marine Band under licence. The money raised is then put to a ballot by the Falmouth Marine Band Members the following January, based on nominations provided by Carnival entrants on their registration forms for Local Cornish – Organisations/Groups/Charities.
The Falmouth Marine Band then invites those recipients to the Falmouth Town Council Chambers to be presented.
Under no circumstances can entrants collect for their own charity or causes.
Under no circumstances can entrants collect for their own charity or causes using their own collection buckets.
Only official Carnival collecting buckets to be used. Unofficial buckets will be removed. (By law only persons over the age of 16 are permitted to collect).
Under no circumstances can entrants collect for their own charity or causes using their own collection buckets.
Only official Carnival collecting buckets to be used. Unofficial buckets will be removed. (By law only persons over the age of 16 are permitted to collect).
ISSUED IN ACCORADNCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE HEALTH AND SAFETY AT WORK ETC, ACT 1974 SECTION 2 (3).
It is the policy of the committee of the Falmouth Carnival to do all that is reasonably practicable to safeguard the health, safety and welfare of the volunteers, entrants and all visitors to the event.
The onus for safety rests with the carnival committee, volunteers, float organisations and drivers. The committee respectively remind those taking part of their responsibilities with regards to health and safety of all other persons involved with the event.
Carnivals are an important part of the colour and culture of local communities. However it is with the up most importance that these events are run in a responsible manner with a full consultation with the Police, Cornwall Council, Highways Agency, Cornwall Fire Brigade, NHS Ambulance Service and any other agency that is involved with the event.
As part of the carnival celebrations we invite all shops and traders in the town to decorate their window(s) and take part in the annual Window Dressing Competition.
The more traders join in by dressing your windows, the more you contribute to a brighter town for carnival week.
There are three window sizes in the competition:
LARGE – over 2.5m width
MEDIUM– 1.5 to 2.5m width
SMALL – under 1.5m width
For each window category, there will be three awards: Carnival Window Star; plus two Highly Commended.
Windows will be judged on Impact, Effort, Originality and most of all – Carnival Spirit! This years themes for your interpretation are “whatever Floats Your Boat” and “Fill Your Boots”.
The judges will have a close look at your efforts on the morning of Sat 9th August and winners will be announced on our facebook page @falmouthcarnival.
To register entry for the Window Competition 2025 please use the form on the Window Competition Webpage to register your interest by July 4th 2025 so we can create a map of participants.
These FAQs are subject to changes and updates. The last update was on 18.08.25
If you are a Charity, CIC or Community Group – please indicate this on your entry. We may ask further information to substantiate your status. Those eligible will be able to benefit from proceeds raised through bucket collection on the day under ballot by The Falmouth Marine Band members the following January. All money raised goes to Falmouth Carnival and shared with Local Charities and eligible groups as nominated by entrants. A small proportion goes towards next year’s event.
1. Vehicle maximum maximum width – 2.5 metres. No more than 7.5 tonnes, *unless agreed directly with the organisers.
2. It is the responsibility of all owners of participating motor vehicles to notify their insurers with their intended use and ensure that all vehicles are street legal.
3. Vehicle entrants and their group are required to provide their own risk assessments in respect of any injury arising or damaged caused to third parties, person or property in relation to the event. A Risk Assessment document will be sent to you to fill out and return when you apply for entry.
4. Additionally, wheel Marshals need to be in situ to prevent any accidents or injuries to participants on foot. We ask that you have a minimum of two marshals wearing high viz bibs walking either side of the front wheels of each vehicle. We will contact you when you enter to advise if your entry requires more Marshals.
– Vehicles over 3500kg (Not exceeding 7500kg). 12 Meters
Any vehicles that exceed this will not be permitted to take part in the Carnival procession in 2026.
6. Vehicle entrants and their group are required to provide their own risk assessments in respect of any injury arising or damaged caused to third parties, person or property in relation to the event. A Risk Assessment document will be sent to you to fill out and return when you apply for entry.
7. A certificate of Insurance or suitable indemnity must be in force covering the use of the vehicle and float in the carnival at time of use. The vehicle must be taxed and MOT’d and the driver must have a valid driving licence.
Are you thinking of entering a float into this year’s Carnival? Below you will find some answers to some common questions that will help you get started. Building a Carnival float can be a great project & doesn’t have to be expensive if you work as a group & plan things together. It can also be a great social project during the planning stages, if you work with friends & family.
Maximum vehicle weight is 7500 kg
Maximum Trailer width 2.5m
Vehicles over 3500kg (Not exceeding 7500kg ). 12 Meters
The time to start thinking of making a float is ideally four or five months before the carnival. Again working as a group you can start to collect the things you need, then put your ideas together with an aim at starting to build the float approx. two weeks before carnival.
*REGISTER ENTRY BY 12PM FRI JULY 04TH 2025
There will obviously be some cost involved, but be resourceful. Working as a group can often reduce much of the cost, if you all work together.
All entries msut adhere to the simple rules we ask you to follow, but these rules really are common sense. As event organisers we want everyone to be safe, including those taking part and the public who watch. Please visit: falmouthcarnival.org.uk/health-safety
You will need either a flatbed Lorry or a trailer, a tractor, a generator, lighting, plus wood & or cardboard, paint, plus some items for props & fancy dress.
The provider/driver of any vehicle will need to be covered by their own vehicle insurance.
Speak to people, get together with friends & family, someone always knows someone else who has many of the items needed.
We are happy to advise you if you intend to use an agricultural vehicle. Please contact one of the committee listed for further advice. Contact info@falmouthcarnival.org.uk
Contact one of the Carnival Committee who will be more than happy to help & advise you. Please email: info@falmouthcarnival.org.uk
Falmouth Carnival is a celebration, and each entry must contain an element of performance. This can be through music, singing, dancing or costume presentation.
Any banners should be to highlight your organisation only i.e. your name, website, social media and not a political statement.
You can contact us by email if you have any queries about your entry.
Falmouth Carnival seeks to be as sustainable as possible.
We work in line with Guidance from Falmouth Town Council and ask our entrants to comply with the following:
